Vapor-generating and heating apparatus



No. e||,|9s. Patented Sept. 20, 1898.

E. s. GRIFFITH. VAPOR GENERATING AND HEATING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Jan. 29, 1896. Renewed July 14, 189B.)

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

N8. 6H,I98. Patented Sept. 20, I898.

E. S. GRIFFITH.

VAPOR GENERATING AND HEATING APPARATUS.

(Application filed. Jan. 29, 1898. Renewed July 14, 1898.) (No Model.) 4 -Shaet'sShe'et I I lllmmim 52 Wm" I I I l l I l l Lg. I

I IE1 75% akin No. s||,|9a. Patented Sept. 20, was. E. s. GRIFFITH. VAPOR GENERATING AND HEATING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Jan. 29,

1896. m ewed July 14, 1898.)

Sheets-Sheet 3.

No Model.)

THE uomus versus co. PHoToumou wAsumcmm u. c.

No. muss Patented Sept. '20, 139a. v E. GRlFFlTH. VAPOR GENERATING AND HEATING APPARATUS.

{Applicaf'ion filed Jan. 29, 1896. nnewed July 14, 1398. (No Model. 4 Sheets-Sheet'4.

THE Mourns PETERS co, PHcTo-umq, WASNINGTON. n, c.

llNiTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ETHELBERT S. GRIFFITH, OF TOLEDO, OHIO.

VAPOR-G EN ERATING AND HEATING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. ,198, dated September 20,1898. Application filed anal ze. 1896. Renewediluly 14, 1898. Serial No. 685,973. (NomgdL) To aZZ whom it mag concern:

Be it known that I, ETHELBERT S. GRIFFITH,

residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vapor-Generating and Heating Apparatus and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, cle'ar,and eX-' the art to myknowledge are, however, set

forth in the following specification and particularly claimed. The particular objects and advantages of the means constituting my invention as claimed will also be pointed out as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an end view in elevation which shows a portion' of the top of a gasolene-stove having a fixed standard mounted thereon provided with'any desired form of'clutch'at its upper end to receive and maintain in working po sition a'fuel-supply pipe supporting a container A,which pipe is connected at its lower end with a valve of peculiar form. Fig.2 is

an end view of a gasolene-stove embodying the working parts of my invention, the vaporconduit M shown in Fig. 6 being removed and also a portion of the rim of the top of the stove shown 'as broken away, the separable front screw-head of the housing-D and also the fan within the housing being both represented elsewhere in detail for the purposes of perspicuity. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of working parts, partly in vertical section, of the structure exhibited in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a side view of a chambered valve, to the key of which is connected the fuel-supply-pipe B of a gasolene-stove and by the oscillationlof which pipe an intermittent flow of fuel through the valve may be secured. Fig. 5 is a view of the key of the valve displayed in Fig. 4 withdrawn from its working position.

inthe body of said valve. Fig.6 is a plan view of connected multiple burners in a gasolene-stove having the plates J partly broken away to exhibit the connecting vapor-com duits and'cut-off gates. Fig. 7 is a rear view of a section of the angular vapor-conduit F at the point 30 in Fig. 6, exhibiting exterpally the internal gutter 35, leading to the pipe'I in Fig. 2 and thence through pipe 7 to the discharge-pipe 7 in Figs. 2 and 3. Fig. Sisja front view of an annular apertured screw-cap for the fan-housing, the adjustment-screw 27 regulating the end movement of the fan-shaft, as shown in Fig. 9, being removed. Fig. 9 is a view of the same ap- 'pendage shown in Fig. 8, presenting a side view'of "the externally-threaded boss to receive the sheet-metal cap in Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a sheet-metal cap having a central threaded bore through the hub. When in place, this cap is to regulate the air-supply through the ports 2, Figs. 2 and 8. Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section of the valve I, showing the chambered housing and the hollow reciprocating key attached at its outer end to the fuel-pipe B. Fig. 12 is an end view of the fan as it would appear if placed in the housing D in Fig. 2. Fig. 13 is a front view of the fan and its flexible or semiflexible shaft carrying a hub having radial arms with vanes secured to their outer ends. Fig. 14 shows side and transverse views of metallic weights to be adjusted when desired to the hub or to the shaft of the fan. Fig. 15 shows collectively the lower terminal portions of pipes inclosing the fuel-supply tract. These terminals are provided with escape-orifices controlled, respectively, by the valves 0 and 0.

By reference to the several illustrative figures it will be apparent how the several objects of my invention may be attained.

I provide a fuel-container A, support-ed at any desired elevation above the burner-cone of a gasolene-stove, or employ any other wellknown expedient, such as an air-pump or a column of water, to secure a suitable flow from the'container, irrespective of its location,

through a connecting-pipe B, terminating in a jet-orifice 1, controlled by valve 0, Figs. 2 and 3, so that I may cause at will a liquid-jet to be projected from this orifice, which latter is alined within a confining chamber or housing D, so as to deliver a forcible and sudden impetus to the movable agitatorE, which may be of any suitable form, but which as here represented consists of a rotating fan properly sustained within the housing D, the latter being provided with central inductionopenings 2 and a peripheral ed uction or discharge opening 3, also suitable bearings 4; to receive the journals of the fan-shaft 5. Now it is well known that the velocity of an aircurrent is determined by the peripheral velocity of the impelling mechanism, and therefore coincident with the movement of the fan upon its bearings due to the sudden and powand the rotation of the fan E, creating a sue tion at the ports 2, an impact at the discharge 3, and a final exit therefrom in a state of high vibration and under positive and continued pressure, is one of the results of my system for treating a liquid fuel. I prefer ordinarily, however, to connect the discharge 3 with a suitable conduit F, leading to a burnerbody Gand thence to a burner-cone 6 of any desired size or form, whereby I am enabled to obtain an instantaneous flash ignition covering the entire superficies of the cone upon each application ofthe match and as often as the valve 0 is opened and closed. The movement of the fan will be found to be very rapid, invisible to the eye, insuring promptness in the igniting of its product and the equivalent in effect of natural or artificial gas, thereby dispensing with a body of liquid gasolene and the imperfect combustion thereof to evolve the heat necessary to secure final operation in the ordinary generating-stove and similar structures and also avoiding evaporation and tardy ignition, the waste of an appreciable quantity of gasolene and its vapor to effect a start, and the generation of noxious fumes attending such methods. As against these pronounced objections no liquid or its vapor is at anytime wasted in the use of my invention, since the cooking vessel may at once he placed over the burner-cone, the match applied, and the flow of liquid started, followed by a vigorous flame of strong heat, evolving qualities covering the entire bottom of an ordinary-sized vessel and subject to regulation and control with the same degree of facility and positiveness as in an ordinary gas-stove, and thereby avoiding the exercise of greater caution or judgment than would be necessary in using fixed gaseous fuels. At ordinary pressures or heights of the container A above the wheel IE- it will be found in practice that the entire quantity of liquid escaping from the jet-orifice 1 will not be volatilized by this method, and therefore the residue will flow out of the fan-housing through the pipe 7, connecting at its discharge end with receiving-can H. As a precaution against overflow I construct this can of somewhat greater capacity than the container A, so that the entire liquid contents of the latter may be re ceived and temporarily stored,if desired. The can H has a pipe connection 8 with the opening and closing valve I, which latter will appear in detail hereinafter. The special function of this valve is to permit a free and rapid flow of the contents of receiving-can I'I through the pipe 8 and into pipe 13, thence into the prime container A, when the latteris lowered to or in the direction of the floor, and also to arrest the flow from the container A into the can H when the former is brought to a working position, as shown in Fig. 1. It will be seen that this arrangement of pipe and valve connections enables the. unconsumed liquid received into the can H to be restored in its former position in the container A and to exercise anew its impelling force upon the wheel when desired. It is necessary to the instantaneous starting and rapid rotation of the fans that this drainage be had in order to avoid interference with them of an accumulation of liquid in the receiver.

The pressure of the liquid within the supply-pipe B, and hence the height of the container A above the orifice 1 practically determines the limit of the prime motive force available in delivering the initial impetus to the fan E. The mobility of the impelling medium will determine the velocity of its escape and the working speed of the fan. Therefore in order to extend my invention still further in this direction I have provided other novel features which I will now proceed to explain.

I provide means for a gradual continuous vaporization of the entire liquid contents of container A not volatilized by its passage in a liquid form over the wheel E and also at the proper point provide other means for discharging this highly-attenuated product upon the wheel as a substitute for the first-mentioned liquid-supply, thereby tremendously accelerating the wheels velocity, attended by correspondingly marked results at the burner cone. In order to carry these advanced improvements into effect, I provide a burner-cone of any adequate size, having a suitable central opening 9, and secure this cone to the plate J, having also an annular opening through it of suflicient size to correspond with the inner circumferential line of the rim 10 of the cone, so that when the two are joined and in working position there may be a free access of vapor through the plate J to the under surface of the cone, and thence through the openings in its crown. The plate J is secured to the circumferentialwall K,

which latter is joined by means of a suitable bottom plate to the flanges of the raised bottom L of the cone. This raised bottom may be in the form of an ordinaryinverted drinking-cup,'having an annular aperture which fits the downwardly-projecting rim forming the central opening 9 through the cone where the two are joined, as will be seen in Fig. 3, so as to form avapor-distributing chamber G of comparatively restricted size leading from,

the fan to the burner. In the central opening thus formed I place a f uel-tube N of the proper size to leave an annular air-space between the inner face of the central rim of the cone and the surface of the tube and properly sustain this tube in the position shown in Fig. 3 by the stirrup 48. I then establish a pipe connection 13 between the lower end of the tube and the container A. The upper end of the tube may be provided with any form of flame-impinging or heat-conducting surfaces desired and having the proper arran gement of ducts 18 for the passage of gaso lene from the container A to the fuel-tube N, then to final discharge-orifice 14:, which is shown in detail in Fig. 15, and controlled by the valve 0. When the stove is in operation, it will be manifest that the gasolene filling the ducts 13, Fig. 6, and upper portion of the tube N will be speedily vaporized, and on opening the valve 0 the hot vapor will act upon the fan in a concentrated column, tremendously increasing its velocity by reason of the superior mobility of this vapor over the liquid gasolene issuing from the orifice 1. This latter action may be continued indefinitely after the valve 0 is closed.

I do not wish to be understood as confining my heat-conducting or flame-impinging surfaces L with which tube N is provided at its upper end to the specific construction shown in the drawings, since I have used such surfaces having the proper arrangement of internal ducts for the purposes named disposed at the periphery of the cone 6, and also those disposed within the burner-body G and beneath the cone and such as were both separate and integral therewith, and therefore any arrangement or location of such surfaces in combined operative relation in a gasolenestove, the initial functions of which are performed by the employment of the principles governing my process, would be a substantial adoption of the matter and spirit of my invention. Neither do I wish to be understood as confining the scope of myinvention to the precise manner shown of employing the heated Vapor produced, since the fan E and housing may be cut out of operation after the start and the discharge-orifice 14, controlled by the valve 0, alined with reference to the open end of a suitable conduit-pipe, as in the common generating-stove. I have heretofore constructed stoves upon this plan with good results, and I deem its mode of operation so obvious as to require no definite illustration in the drawings. In the present instance as flame-impinging surfaces I have chosen to provide one or more radial arms 15 and connecting-pipe 16, uniting one of these arms with the lower valve-section O and having additional heat-conducting surfaces 17 disposed at certain intersections of these parts, whereby it will be seen that the construction is adapted tothe employment of either of the above-described methods to utilize the elastic tension of the escaping jet of heated vapor from the orifice 14.

At a point suitably remote from the housing D to secure the proper commingling of the vapor and air I connect the main discharge conduit F with a small auxiliaryburner cone 18 by means of the pipe M, so arranged that the requisite heat to vaporize the gasolene in the ducts 13 may be continued after the main burner G is extinguished by the operation of the sliding gate 1, the latter appendage being merely one form of cutoff which may be interposed between the burner-body and the fuel-supply.

The pipe B is connected with the valve I, which is in the form of a plug-Valve. I Iow ever, the key, Fig. 5, is hollow for the greater part of its length, as shown in Fig. 11, and has side apertures 20, forming, with the pipe B, a continuous open conduit between the recessed chamber 21 of the valve-body and the container A. The reduced end of this key is solid and in the form of a truncated conc 22, and, with the adjustable bored plug 24 fitted to the reduced end of the valvebody, provides a complete cut-off between and with regard to'the receiver II and container A when the latter is in a working position, and also an open conduit between the two when it is lowered for filling. It will be readily seen from the drawings how these results are accomplished, since an intersection of the valve-body, Fig. 11, has an internal thread of high pitch, and a corresponding part of the key has a similar external thread, so that when the two are in mesh a reciprocating movement is given to the key by the oscillation of the pipe B, forcing it alternately on and ofi its seat provided in the inner end of the adjustable plug 24, which latter is provided with a central squared section 25 and two opposing threaded end sections, one of which engages a suitable female thread in the reduced end of the valve-body and the other the pipe connection 8 with the can H. This construction will allow the plug to be adjusted so as to arrest the advance movement of the key when the pipe has reached nearly an erect position. I have found it advantageous in practice to thus arrest the movement of the key at the proper point and thereafter to force the pipe B into a true erect position, advantage being taken of a certain spring flexibility in that portion of the pipe between its connection with the key and the point above B, Fig. 1, where I arrange a suitable clutch or grip to hold it, whereby the whip movement of the container A in moving the stove about is overcome, and also the IIO consequent reaction on the valve I, tending to make it leak.

The wheel, Figs. 12 and 13, consists of a hub supporting radial arms or spokes provided at their outer ends with vanes 26 and a flexible or semiflexible shaft 5, and the whole initially supported by the bored bearin gs 4 in the fan-housing or its screw-head, Figs. 8 and 9. Ordinarily I make this wheel extremely light and counterpoise it in order that a quick and immediate response shall be given to the jet of gasolene delivered at orifice 1 the instant valve 0 is opened and thereafter to maintain the requisite velocity at the expense of as little power as possible.

I secure the advantages of an exact running counterpoise in my wheels by providing a comparatively long flexible or semiflexible shaft 5, revolving loosely in the bearings 4, having adjusting-screws 27, permitting but a limited chucking or end movement of the shaft.

Motion in my wheels is secured by playing a solid,as distinguished from a broken,sprayed, or diifused,column of liquid upon their vanes, since solidity in this column at the instant of striking the vane favors, while the lack of it retards, speed. The bores and faces of the terminal pipes 1 and 14-, Fig. 15, having discharge-orifices,are therefore carefully dressed with reference to this result. In practice it will be found that there is a marked distinction between the behavior of a fan impelled by a mobile jet in a confined or air-tight situation and one driven by such a jet with a free or but partially-restricted admission of air at normal static pressure. Other conditions being in common, the speed will be much greater without than with a free access and discharge of air, since the wheel in the latter case is subjected to an opposing force-tl1e inertia of the atmosphere-and thus becomes a motor to overcome this negative condition. Hence the value of concentration in the actuating force. The behavior of the jet of heated vapor within the fan-housing is markedly different from that of the liquid-jet, due to the peculiar contour of the fan-housing, the disposition of the jet-orifice therein and the direction of its discharge, the latter discharge being opposed to that of the liquidjet and alined with the escape-opening 3 of the housing. 1

I aim to prevent the commingling of the gasolen e-vapor with the entrained current of air in and the dispersion of this vapor throughout the fan-housing. The manner of obtaining this desired end will be obvious from the following: I construct the inner line of the fan-housin g from the point 28 to the point 32 as conforming to the arc of a circle, so that the instant the concentrated column of vapor from the orifice at the point 14 strikes any one of the fans vanes it is deflected from its course tangentially into the enlarged portion of the discharge-section 4 of the housing D and thereby carried wholly beyond the sphere of the fans rotation. Thence it is deflected again in line with the axis of the pipe F. It will therefore be seen that there is no dispersion throughout the fan-housing of the product of this system of vapor manufacture, but, on the contrary, such dispersion is impossible. I rely upon the operation of the natural law of the diffusion of gases within and the sharp deflection of the pipe F at the point 30 to effect the requisite commingling of this product and the air after their discharge from the eduction-pipe.

I have at times weighted the fan-shaft by placing suitable disks, Fig. 14:, upon it, composed of any material which may serve to continue for a time the velocity and momentum of the fan after either the liquid or vapor jet has ceased to play upon it, so that all of the vapor may be forced out of the tube F and burner-body G through the cone 6, resulting in the complete and useful combustion of such vapor, with no lingering fumes, as is common in structures devoid of positive impelling force sufficient to speedily rid the burner of vapor at the proper moment and thus prevent the offensive odor caused by the passage through the hot burnercone of vapor reduced by attenuation or an excess of air to that degree which is below its ignition-point. By my means of thus treating a liquid fuel for heating or for illuminating purposes I have found that under requisite pressure the entire quantity of liquid discharged upon the wheel may be atomized and commingled with the increased Volume of air thereby entrained through the openings in the fan-housing. For metallurgical purposes or those requiring a great volume of flame the advantages of this form of my invention will be obvious.

There are many other incidental points of superiority and merit in my means of which the drawings may not be at once suggestive, and among the more important are the following: They reduce the danger at all times inseparable from the use of a liquid fuel of high volatility to the minimum, since they avoid the handling of such liquid at each operation of starting in such way as to demand the exercise of more than ordinary skill, caution, and judgment. They economize the use of fuel in several ways, the primary one, as before explained, being in the availability of all the heat-evolving qualities which as a liquid or as a vapor it may contain. Presuming that the burner-cone has sufficient capacity for the exit under proper tension of all the inflammable matter supplied by the fan and the size of the escape-orifices 1 and 14 be sufficient, the character of the flame at the burner-cone will be governed by the manipulation of the light sheet-metal screwcap, Fig. 10, provided to act upon the projecting end portion of the apertured head, Figs. 8 and 9, of the housing D in such manner as to regulate the volume of air admitted into the housing, and hence the quantity commingled with the fixed quantity of vapor discharged upon or produced by the wheel. By properlyregulating these details the color of the flame and the character of the heat may be varied, while the quantity of vapor remains unchanged and the rate of consumption of fuel fixed. These results may be accomplished in ways other than the above, as by varying the capacity of the gate-openings 31 by the manipulation of the stem and T- handle 19, while the valves 0 and O are allowed to discharge a uniform quantity of the driving medium under a definite impelling force, or by making the orifices 1 and 14 sufficiently large to answer the maximum effects within the capacity of the machine and regulatin g the discharge by the respective valves while the volume of air admitted through the induction-ports remains unchanged, except as modified by the rotation of the wheel.

In the structure having multiple burners, as in Fig. 6, the effects may be thus varied as regards the operation of any one burner, while the others may be given a greater or less operative intensity, whereby a low simmering heatand also one of high concentrated energy are readily obtainable at the same time.

Great difficulty has been experienced in the manufacture of this class of structures to free them when in operation from the defect known as pulsating of the flame and other manifestations of an explosive nature both annoying and dangerous. It will be manifest that in my invention these undesirable tendencies do not exist, since the momentum of the wheel subdues the irregular behavior of the jet before it acts as a disturbing element upon the flame, securing steadiness of operation similar to a balancewheel in other high-speed structures. In my invention the volume of inflammable vapor within the chamber G is so reduced that it may be purposely exploded with no serious or alarming effects. Another result of a mischievous nature is that of backlash or the reactive tendencies when a jet of hot vaporized fuel is projected into the open end of a conduit-pipe with a view of causing a current of air in the direction of the jet by induction. The difficulty of doing this is augmented the moment the heat from the jet is communicated to the material of the tube by the operation of a law hereinafter explained, requiring the adoption of numerous expedients not necessary to particularize for keepin g the tube cool in order to continue the satisfactory operation of the device. The manifestreluctance of the atmosphere to be forced into contact with a heated surface, provoking a recoil by that portion first striking it, is the property which hastens the escape backward of the air introduced into the tube by the heated jet, while the comparatively small area of the cross-section of the jet relatively to that which is necessary in the tube is another condition conducive to this undesirable reaction, whereas in my system the concentrated driving force of the jet is brought into close impingement upon the blades of the fan, tending to drive them in rapid succession and with great speed in the direction of the impelling-current. Centrifugal action at once becomes a potent factor, while the close relation of that section of the fans housing between the point 28 and the point 32, being concentric with the line described by the outer edges of the fans blades when in motion, operate jointly to prevent an escape below the point 32 and cause aviolentexpulsion of the contents of the fan chamber in the direction of the receivingtube F and the connecting burner and cone. By reason of the advantages of the described construction I am enabled to supply a series of burner-cones of much larger size by the use of a given head of vapor than can be done in any other known way. The confiningchamber' D, fan E, and connecting-conduit F are not liable to become unduly heated, since but a small arc of the circle described by the fan-blades is within the zone of heat discharged bythe impinging vapor, while the play of the fan throughout the remainder of its operation is subjected to the rush of cold air into all other parts of the housing, tending to lower its temperature and that of the adjacent parts. Experience has shown that should the housing become unduly heated but little, if any, effect is observed at the burner-cone, because the action of the fan is so powerful as to overcome the negative tendencies of such a condition.

The adaptability of my means is especially noticeable in the use of burner-cones consisting of a series of conoidal sawed tips, each being similar in form to an ordinary gas-tip and disposed over a base-plate having a vapor-chamber underneath it,by which arrangement a large area may be covered with distinct jets of flame, and hence a wide dispersion of heating effect obtained. The capacity of the chamber in this instance may be greatly reduced as compared with those heretofore employed, since the impelling force of the fan is suchas to overcome the resistance and retardation the reduced chamber naturally would offer to the distribution of vapor throughout its remote parts.

The arrangement of the pipe F and gate P for the delivery of the inflammable vapor into the chamber G, from which the cone is supplied, is also advantageous. It will be seen that the opening through the gate is on a tangential line with reference to the outer circumferential wall K, so that the current is first thrown to the periphery of the burnercone, where the major portion of its expulsive energy is consumed in supplying the openings at this point with vapor and the remainder afterward exhausted at more central portions of the cone,preventing the massing of the flame in the center, as in those devices wherein the conditions for aeration are less favorable or Wanting altogether. In my burner I have also provided the central airopenings 9 and 11 of such capacity as to furnish the proper access of air to consume the vapor discharged centrally from the cone.

The raised bottom L in my invention has a double purposefirst, that of providing a dividing-wall between the vapor within and the air without, and, second, that of displacement, so that the volume of vapor at any time within this wall and the outer one is com paratively small, aiming to have as little vapor in this chamber as is consistent with a proper distribution and supply to the burnercone, so that when the gate P is closed the vapor may be quickly and wholly consumed without vitiating the atmosphere of the apartment where the stove is in use. For similar reasons I have provided a liquid seal in the discharge-pipe 7 at the point 33, consisting of a U-formed section, so that the liquid first discharged from the housing D will fill this loop and cut off the escape of vapor into the can H. The latter is provided also with a tube S, acting as an open air or vapor vent to allow the free flow of liquid into the can. The upper end of this tube is placed contiguous to the induction-ports 2, so that vapor, if formed at any time in the can H, is at once discharged into the air-current advancing in the direction of said ports and is eventually carried upward into the cone and there usefully consumed.

Owing to the speed of the fan small portions of liquid fuel are liable to be thrown from it similar to the flight of sparks from an emery-wheel. Therefore I have arranged internal gutters 35 and 36 to receive this liquid when accu mulatedin sufficient quantities and conduct it into the main '1, whence it will find its way into the receiver H.

To secure the proper lubrication of the bearings of the fan-shaft, I have provided the oil-receiving cups 37 above and the sumps 38 below the central boss 4, so that the cups being first filled with a loose absorbent material and the lubricant introduced thereafter the latter will find its way around the shaft and into the sumps, where it will remain and be gradually drawn by capillarity to the parts requiring it.

In order to quickly heat the valve-section 0, having the central discharge-orifice 14, of my conduit system to volatilize the liquid fuel, as described, and prevent the transmission of heat to parts of the structure not requiring it, I use a sleeve 39, of non-conducting material, inclosing this valve-section and within the collar 40, projecting from the fan-housing, and also employ means for rendering the non-conducting sleeve impervious to liquidssuch as asbestos, cement, or other suitable lute. In fact, at the several points of contact of the fixed parts of my burners I use an asbestos fabric for similar purposes, as at 41 in Fig. 2. The employment of this nonconducting element is therefore highly important, if not indispensable, to avoid the conducting of the heat away from the generating vapor-jet and into the fan-housing, which would interfere with the smooth action of both jet and fan, and to also prevent the throwing out of the liquid gasolenc from the annular space between the jet-pipe and the fan-chamber.

The vapor of liquid hydrocarbons is heavier than air and, if permitted, will fall from the point of discharge to lower levels. In order, therefore, to prevent a current of in flammable vapor, in the event of a tardy application of the match, being drawn in the direction of the fan-housing and inflaming the vapor therein, I arrange a shield 42, (shown in broken lines,) extending from the plate J to a point below the fan-housing, so that the undesirable result named may not be the penalty for a negligent disregard of the simple rule in the handling of my invention namely, apply a lighted match to the burnercone before opening the valve 0, which embodies substantially all the education necessary to successfully use my invention. This shield performs also the office, in addition to the above, of concealing the active mechanism from view and protectsit from mischievous interference by the curious.

In order the more conveniently to oil the bearings, I provide openings 43 through the plate J immediately over the cups. These openings may be closed by means of shifting lids or otherwise.

It is apparent that the wheel E will be kept in motion after opening the valve G as long as the fuel-supply from the container A continues; but in order to maintain its motion after the valve 0 is closed the valve 0 is opened, the flow of liquid through this latter valve being regulated by the valve, the projecting stem of which is shown at 44. It is desirable to heat the lower valve-section containing the escape-orifice 14 as speedily as possible, and in order to meet this requirement I have provided the separable valvestem U, consisting of an outer and an inner section engaging each other by means of a squared male and female connection 45 and 46. A spring-coil 47 is provided and arranged so as to keep the two sections in engagement. The joint thus formed serves to prevent the conduction of heat derived from the burner-cones to parts not requiring it. It is well in practice to open the valve 0 slightly soon after opening the valve 0 and so discharge the liquid lodged therein and make way for the heated vapor to follow and thereby secure the advantage of circulation through this lower valve-section. The valve 0 being finally closed the further operation of the device is secured in the way hereinbefore described.

The first step of vaporizing the fuel-supply and feeding it onward to the consuming-point is not departed from, but supplemented by introducing at a subsequent stage of the process a heated jet of the vapor to aid, increase, and perfect the operation. It may be regarded in the light of a circular movement of an agent Whose strength, force, and intensity are reinforced by the addition of another powerful agency during the circular movement. It is not, however, to be understood that the feeding forward of the heated supply of vapor alone after the liquid-supply is cut off as a submethod of supply may not be followed. The advantage of the first or continuous method will be experienced best in starting the stove, especially in cold weather, and thus continuing the production of the vapor from the liquid in the main chamber. At other times and under other conditions,especially in warm weather, it is desirable to cut off the liquid-jet immediately before opening the vapor-jet and also before the fan has ceased to rotate in order that the supply of vapor may not be made too great, which would cause a smoky flame by reason of an insufficient amount of air to dilute the vapor.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. The process of generating and supplying inflammable vapor under elastic tension, which consists in the initial step of agitating a liquid hydrocarbon and air, then igniting the resulting combustible product, then vaporizing by said ignited product a second hydrocarbon-liquid supply, then utilizing the vaporous product created for the purpose of maintaining, continuing, and increasing the agitation and ignition for heating and lighting, substantially as described. a

2. An improvement in the means of generating and supplying inflammable vapor under elastic tension which consists in the combination with a liquid-hydrocarbon supply of a chamber in which such liquid hydrocarbon and a current of atmospheric air are subjected to agitation to atomize the liquid, agitating means, a second liquid-su pply,means for vaporizing the liquid, a conductor for conducting a jet of the vapor from the vaporizing means to said agitating-chamber, means for cutting off the liquid-supply to said chamber, means for conducting the said mingled air and vaporized product to a suitable consumer for heating or lighting, and said consumer, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a main liquid-hydrocarbon supply and suitable conduits, a chamber provided with means for agitating the liquid received therein, means for introducing a current of air to said chamber, a burner to which the inflammable vapor is conducted and where it is ignited, a supplementary hydrocarbon liquid supply vessel fed from the main supply and heated by said ignited vapor,means for cutting off the liquidsupply to said agitating-chamber and a conduit for conducting the heated vaporized liquid from said vessel to the said agitatingchamber, from which the mixed heated and inflammable gas and outer air are carried to a burner by the same means, substantially as described.

4. In combination with a hydrocarbon-liquid container, a main burner and cone, a vaporizing fuel-tube heated by said burner, conduits leading from said container to the up- .per end of the vaporizing-tube, a commingling-chamber, a main conduit provided with a cut-off and leading from said commiuglingchamber to the burner-body, a smaller auxiliary cone, a pipe leading from the main conduit to the auxiliary cone, whereby when the main burner is extinguished by the operation of the cut-off, heat may be continued to vaporize the liquid in the said conduits leading into the fuel-tube, substantially as described.

5. In combination with a vapor generator and burner, of a casing or chamber provided with an air-inlet and a vapor-discharge orifice or conduit, a revoluble wheel provided with vanes and mounted within said casing or chamber, a liquid-supply pipe terminating in the jet-orifice within the casing in position to delivera jet of liquid against the vanes of the wheeland cause its rotation, a liquid-receptacle and a conduit thereto from said chamber for receiving the excess of liquid fuel not vaporized by said wheel, whereby the accumulation of the liquid within the Wheel-chamber is prevented and the free and rapid circulation of the wheel is maintained by the impact of the jet, substantially as described.

6. In a vapor generator and burner the combination with the liquid-supply and a conduit leading therefrom for supplying the liquid under pressure, of a receiver having an airinlet, a burner supplied from said receiver, two independent conduits having jet-orifices and fed from said supply-conduit, one of said jet-conduits lying in close proximity to the burner whereby the liquid is volatilized, and a fan within the receiver for creating an elastic tension therein, said fan driven by the jet issuing from either or both of said orifices, substantially as described.

'7. In a vapor generator and burn er, the com bination with a liquid-hydrocarbon supply and burner, of a receiver for supplying vapor to the burner, a fan-motor in said receiver for creating an elastic tension therein, a conduit from the supply having a j et-orifice discharging into the receiver, a drain-pipe provided with a trap and leading from the receiver, a liquid-receptacle into whichsaid drain-pipe discharges, and a vapor escape or vent pipe leading from the top of the said liquid-receptacle to a point in proximity to the said jetorifice, whereby gases generated in the liquidreceptacle are carried into the receiver by the action of said motor, substantially as described.

8. In a vapor generator and burner, the combination with the burner of a receiver for supplying vapor thereto, a mechanical agitator within the receiver, a liquid-hydrocarbon supply, a conduit having a jet-orifice in close proximity to said burner for directing a jet IIO of volatilized product into said receiver to drive said agitator, a non-conducting packing interposed between the walls of the jetorifice and the receiver, whereby the heat of the volatilized liquid is maintained, and the liquid-supply confined to said receiver, substantially as described.

9. A burner-cone having a raised domeshaped under surface, a flaring upper termination and a suitable central opening formin g an air-passage, in combination with a plate to which the cone is secured having also a corresponding central opening, a fuel-tube placed in said central air-passage, a fu el-snpply and a pipe connection with said supply and fuel-tube, said tube having an opening and a heat-conducting surface at its top, a vapor-receiving chamber and a supply connection between said chamber and burner, substantially as described.

10. In a vapor generator and burner, the combination with a burner and cone, a vaporizing-retort placed within and extending through said burner and cone a fuel-supply, a pipe connection with said supply and retort, said retorthaving an opening and aheatconducting surface at its top, a vapor-receiver, a fan within said receiver, and a conduit leading from said heat-conducting surface to said receiver, said conduit provided with a valve-controlled discharge-orifice terminating within said receiver, the said orifice discharging the vaporized product against said fan to impel it, substantially as described.

11. The combination in a vapor generator and burner of the burner having the circumferential outer wall, the cone having the under dome-shaped surface, a contracted neck and expanding top surface, the horizontal plate having a central opening through which the neck of the cone is passed, the lower end of said cone connected to the circumferential wall of the burner, whereby a bnrner-chan1- ber is formed between the wall of the cone and the wall of the burner, a vapor receiving and distributing chamber, a conduit leading from said latter chamber to the bu rner-chan1- ber, said conduit provided with a sliding gate opening into the burner-chamber on a line tangential with its wall whereby the current of vapor to the burner-chamber is first thrown to the periphery of the burner-cone, then to the central portion thereof, and its supply regulated and controlled, substantially as described.

, 12. In a vapor generator and burner, the combination witha liquid-hydrocarbon supply and a receiving-chamber, of a pipe connection of said supply and said chamber, said pipe provided with a valve consisting of an outer inclosing shell having two threaded opposing end sections, an intermediate intern ally-recessed chamber,a reciprocating valvekey inclosed by said chamber having a longitndinal bore and lateral side openings into said chamber and an imperforate inner end section, an apertured adjustable plug secured in said outer shell, said plug forming a seat to which the imperforate end section of the key may be forced on and oil? by the movement of said key and pipe connection and an intermediate or continuous flow of the liquid through said valve maybe secured, substantially as described.

13. In combination with the vapor receiving and agitating chamber, of a burner and cone, a conduit from said cone to said chamher and a valve in said conduit consisting of a separable stem composed of an outer round section and an inner square section engaging each other and a spring-coil on the outer section arranged to keep the two sections in engagement, substantially as described.

14. In a vapor generator and burner in combination with one or more burner-cones, impinging fiame-snrfaces consisting of one or more radial arms such as 15, additional heatcondncting surfaces such as 17, fixed at and above the intersections of said radial arms with the said cones,substantial1y as described.

Ell-IELBERT S. GRIFFITH.

IVitnesses:

EZRA I-I. ALLEY, CHAS. A. OAHoo. 

